As tensions increase around the world, the word “Armageddon” is being used to describe the coming days. Even President Biden used this term recently. But as followers of Jesus we need to be clear on what this term means. It comes from the book of Revelation: “Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon” (Rev. 16:16).

This verse appears after the sixth bowl containing God’s wrath was poured out on the earth: “Bowl six is the last punishment, bringing death to them [the unrepentant]. Satan’s purpose is to assert his power; God’s is to prosecute his justice. The result is the same: Armageddon (Rev. 16:16  Bible Speaks Today). When ‘the great day of God Almighty’ comes, the powers of this world will find themselves suddenly confronted by their rejected Lord. That battle will be the last” (16:14 BST).

We need to be sure we’re on the right side of that great, coming battle.  In Luke 10, Jesus is accused of driving out demons “by Beelzebub, the prince of demons” (Luke 10:14). Jesus had shown the power of the Spirit of God to be greater than the spirit of evil. The strong man (Satan) is the evil power who guards his own house. But Jesus is more powerful, being able to bring about a successful coup.  

The Message gives this description of Jesus, the Stronger Man: “When a strong man, armed to the teeth, stands guard in his front yard, his property is safe and sound. But what if a stronger man comes along with superior weapons?  Then he’s beaten at his own game, the arsenal that gave him such confidence hauled off, and his precious possessions plundered” (Luke 11:21-22 MSG).

We also have these fateful words: “This is war, and there is no neutral ground.  If you’re not on my side, you’re the enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse” (Luke 11:23 MSG).  The challenge for each of us is to be continually evaluating our priorities as we try to follow Him in a day of intensifying conflict between good and evil. There is no neutral ground. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy.  However, Jesus clearly tells us, “…If I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you” (Luke 11: 20 NLT). 

In this same context Jesus warns about being alert and on guard: “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest.  But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’  So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and clean.  Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there.  And so that person is worse off than before” (Luke 11:24-26 NLT).  

Could it be that spiritually we are “worse off than before” as a nation?  Has the enemy of our souls tempted us to become negligent in our own spiritual lives?  I plead with the men reading this blog:  be fully aware of the fight we are in.  It is on the surface very complex and confusing.  But underneath it’s simply the continuing battle of the ages; between evil and good – the kingdom of Satan and the kingdom of God.

You might not like to be reminded of this battle.  If so, you have already become captive to the forces of darkness.  Remember: we are at war. We need to choose what is right – and then fight.